This Crunchy Thai Chicken Salad is a California Pizza Kitchen copycat recipe with a mix of fresh vegetables, tender chicken, and a tantalizing Thai peanut dressing that’s guaranteed to delight your taste buds and add a spark to your dining table! This Asian chicken salad recipe not only packs a flavorful punch but is also perfect for quick dinners, special occasions, or as a nutritious option for meal prep!
Table of Contents
I love a good copycat recipe! It’s so nice to be able to make your favorite foods at home for a fraction of the cost and know everything that is going into them. This CPK copycat is one of the best and is a super satisfying dinner salad option that is perfect for summer weather.
Its layers of textures and flavors are packed with taste and texture from the crispness of the chopped romaine lettuce and red cabbage to the satisfying crunch of wonton strips and roasted peanuts. And the chunks of chicken are the perfect satisfying lean protein.
And the Thai peanut dressing blends the savory depth of soy sauce and sesame oil with the bright acidity of lime juice and the subtle heat from red pepper flakes. This combination ensures that each bite is as delicious as it is nutritious!
For more juicy chicken salad recipes, check out my Easy Curried Chicken Salad, Chinese Chicken Salad, The Best Recipe For Chicken Salad, Grilled Cajun Chicken Salad with Creamy Cajun Dressing, and BBQ Chicken Cobb Salad!
Why We Love This Recipe
- It serves beautifully as a wholesome meal on its own or as a light side dish during larger gatherings. Whether you’re feeding your family or entertaining guests, this salad scales easily to suit any occasion. It’s also perfect for summer potlucks and cookouts.
- With ingredients like edamame, carrots, and avocados, it offers a wealth of vitamins and minerals. The lean protein from the chicken and the healthy fats from the avocado and peanut dressing contribute to a well-rounded meal that supports a healthy diet.
- Even with a list of ingredients that might seem extensive, the assembly is straightforward, making it a great recipe for those who are new to Thai cuisine or cooking in general. Sometimes I even scale it down for one when it’s just me at home for lunch and I have leftover chicken.
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Creamy Peanut Butter – Serves as the base for the dressing, adding a creamy texture and rich flavor. For a nut-free option, consider sunflower seed butter.
- Water & Canola Oil – These help thin out the dressing and ensure it coats the salad evenly. Feel free to use any neutral oil, such as vegetable or avocado oil.
- Seasoned Rice Vinegar & Brown Sugar – These add a sweet and tangy profile to the dressing, balancing the flavors. Rice Vinegar can be substituted with apple cider vinegar for a similar tangy effect.
- Soy Sauce & Sesame Oil – Provide an umami depth and Asian flavor characteristic of Thai dishes. Tamari or coconut aminos are excellent alternatives for those avoiding gluten or soy.
- Garlic, Kosher Salt, Ground Ginger, Red Pepper Flakes – These seasonings add heat and complexity to the dressing.
- Limes – The juice is essential for its zesty tang, brightening up the entire salad.
- Romaine Lettuce & Napa Cabbage – These form the crunchy, green base of the salad, offering a fresh, crisp texture. Kale or mixed spring greens can be used for varied nutrition and taste, or other crunchy veggies such as chopped bell peppers.
- Red Cabbage – Adds color and additional crunch, enhancing the visual appeal and fiber content.
- Cilantro & Green Onions – These herbs contribute freshness and a slight sharpness, pivotal for Thai flavor profiles.
- Shelled Edamame & Carrots – Provide protein and sweetness, respectively, rounding out the nutritional balance.
- Red Bell Pepper & English Cucumber – Offer a mild sweet flavor and refreshing crunch.
- Cooked Chicken Breast – Adds substantial protein, making the salad filling and satisfying. Tofu or shrimp can be excellent substitutes for a different protein source.
- Avocado – Contributes creamy texture and healthy fats.
- Roasted Peanuts & Crispy Wonton Strips – These toppings add essential crunch and nuttiness, elevating the texture contrast. Almonds or cashews can be used for a different nutty flavor. For a gluten-free option, use chopped nuts or seeds instead of wonton strips to maintain the crunchy texture.
How to Make Crunchy Thai Chicken Salad
- Place dressing ingredients in bowl. The first step in creating this vibrant salad is to whisk together your spicy peanut dressing. In a medium bowl, combine creamy peanut butter, water, canola oil, seasoned rice vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, finely minced garlic, kosher salt, ground ginger, and red pepper flakes, then squeeze in the juice of two limes.
- Whisk to combine. Whisk everything until well blended and smooth. The dressing should have a creamy consistency with a balanced sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavor profile. Set aside until ready to use.
- Assemble the salad. In a large mixing bowl, gather your base of chopped romaine lettuce and Napa cabbage. Add red cabbage for color and extra crunch. Toss in chopped cilantro, green onions, shredded carrot, diced red bell pepper, and shelled edamame. These ingredients contribute various textures and fresh flavors that are signature to Thai cuisine. Mix together until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Add chicken, avocado, and roasted peanuts. Next, incorporate the cooked chicken breast, which has been previously chopped into bite-sized pieces. The chicken adds a hearty element to the salad, making it satisfying enough to serve as a main dish. Add the roasted peanuts, then the diced avocado last to prevent it from browning if left exposed too long.
- Combining and Serving. Pour the prepared peanut dressing over the salad ingredients in the bowl. Using large salad tongs, gently toss the salad to ensure that the dressing coats every ingredient evenly. This step is crucial as it allows the flavors to meld together beautifully. Just before serving, sprinkle the salad with the crispy wonton strips. These add a delightful crunch that complements the creamy dressing.
Recipe FAQ’s
The spiciness of the salad can be adjusted according to your preference. The red pepper flakes in the dressing can be increased for more heat or reduced to keep it milder.
Tofu, shrimp, or even sliced beef can be excellent protein substitutes for chicken in this salad. Make sure they are cooked and seasoned well to complement the other flavors in the dish.
The salad can be made gluten-free by using tamari or coconut aminos in place of traditional soy sauce, and ensuring that any added ingredients like wonton strips are gluten-free.
Absolutely! If you’re allergic to peanuts or just prefer another flavor, other nut butters such as almond butter and cashew butter are great alternatives that still provide a creamy texture and rich taste.
Yes, you can prepare the components of the salad ahead of time. Keep the dressing, salad ingredients, and crispy toppings like wonton strips separate until right before serving to maintain the best texture and freshness.
Place the salad in an airtight container, separating the dressing and any crispy elements like wonton strips to prevent them from becoming soggy. Properly stored, the salad components can last for up to two days in the fridge. Store the peanut dressing separately in a jar or an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. This allows you to enjoy fresh-tasting salad each time by dressing it just before serving. Give the dressing a good stir or shake before drizzling it over the salad as the ingredients may separate while chilled.
Tips for Success
- One of the key aspects of making this Crunchy Thai Chicken Salad shine is balancing the flavors in the dressing. Start with the recipe’s recommended amounts, but don’t hesitate to adjust the sweetness, tanginess, or heat to your taste. A little extra lime juice can brighten the flavors, while a bit more brown sugar will enhance the sweetness if desired.
- For the best texture and flavor, choose fresh ingredients, crisp vegetables, and properly cooked chicken. When using rotisserie chicken, make sure it’s not overly seasoned or salty as it may overpower the delicate balance of the salad’s dressing. Fresh herbs like cilantro should be vibrant and aromatic to lend an authentic Thai taste to your salad.
- Chopping all your vegetables and cooking the chicken in advance is a great way to save time, especially if you have a meal prep routine. Keep everything refrigerated in separate containers until you’re ready to assemble the salad. This makes the final preparation quick and easy, especially useful for entertaining or preparing a weeknight dinner after a busy day.
- The texture of the salad is pivotal, so adding the wonton strips just before serving ensures they retain their crunch. If you prefer your salads with a little less crunch, allow the dressing to sit on the greens for a few minutes before serving to slightly soften them.
What To Serve With Easy Chopped Thai Chicken Salad
Crunchy Thai Chicken Salad is a flavorful and versatile side dish or main-dish salad that pairs wonderfully with a variety of other foods. For a fuller meal, consider serving it alongside spring rolls or fresh fruit skewers for a touch of sweetness. These additions create a balanced and visually appealing meal, perfect for entertaining or a family dinner. If you’re looking to add starch to make the meal more substantial, steamed jasmine rice or a side of rice noodles works beautifully.
Substitutions and Variations
- Mix things up by using different greens such as kale, spinach, or mixed field greens as the base of the salad.
- If you enjoy spicier dishes, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes in the dressing or add a splash of sriracha hot sauce or chili garlic sauce.
- For additional texture, include chopped nuts like cashews or almonds, or sprinkle in some seeds such as sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
- For a sweet contrast, add diced mango or pineapple. This will complement the spicy and savory flavors of the salad beautifully.
More Healthy Salad Recipes You’ll Love
- Classic Bacon Broccoli Salad
- Grilled Cactus and Corn Salad
- Greek Pasta Salad
- Chopped Kale Salad
- Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing
- Watermelon Basil Feta Salad
- Heirloom Tomato Salad with Burrata
Thai-Inspired Chicken Salad (California Pizza Kitchen Copycat Recipe)
Ingredients
Thai Peanut Dressing
- ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter
- ⅓ cup water
- 3 tablespoons canola oil
- 3 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 teaspoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 limes juiced
Salad
- 3 cups romaine lettuce chopped (about 1 large head)
- ½ head Napa cabbage chopped (about 2-3 cups)
- ½ small head red cabbage cored and chopped (about 1-2 cups)
- 1 bunch cilantro chopped
- 1 cup shelled edamame
- 6 green onions chopped
- 1 cup shredded carrot (about 1-2 large carrots)
- ½ red bell pepper diced
- 2-3 cups cooked chicken breast chopped
- 1 avocado diced
- ¾ cup roughly chopped roasted peanuts
- 1-2 cups crispy wonton strips
- 1 small English cucumber diced
Instructions
- Combine all dressing ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk well to combine. Set aside.⅓ cup creamy peanut butter, ⅓ cup water, 3 tablespoons canola oil, 3 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, 3 teaspoons soy sauce, 2 teaspoons sesame oil, 3 cloves garlic, 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, 2 limes
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all of the salad ingredients except for the wonton strips. Pour the peanut dressing over the salad and toss to combine.3 cups romaine lettuce, ½ head Napa cabbage, ½ small head red cabbage, 1 bunch cilantro, 1 cup shelled edamame, 6 green onions, 1 cup shredded carrot, ½ red bell pepper, 2-3 cups cooked chicken breast, 1 avocado, ¾ cup roughly chopped roasted peanuts, 1 small English cucumber
- Sprinkle with the crispy wonton strips just before serving.1-2 cups crispy wonton strips
Notes
- Make Ahead: Prepare the components of the salad ahead of time. Keep the dressing, salad ingredients, and crispy toppings like wonton strips separate until right before serving to maintain the best texture and freshness.
- Store: Place the salad in an airtight container, separating the dressing and any crispy elements like wonton strips to prevent them from becoming soggy, and store for up to 2 days in the fridge. Store the peanut dressing separately in a jar or an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
